Royal Ascot: Coventry Stakes

The event was established in 1890, and it was named after the 9th Earl of Coventry, George William Coventry, born 9th May 1838, a Conservative politician, Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms, and who Master of the Buckhounds from 1886-1892 and again from 1895 to 1901. The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and for a period the Coventry Stakes was classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 2004. It is usually contested on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Early history:-The Prince and Princess of Wales were in attendance on Tuesday 17th June 1890 for the inaugural running of the Coventry Stakes worth £1,823 to the winner. Excessive rain fell until noon, but it was fine when the 19 runners lined up for the Coventry Stakes over 6 furlongs. After repeated attempts the flag fell to a level start and, although the field was large, the race developed into a match between Siphonia (100/15) and The Deemster (9/4 fav) owned by Mr J B Leigh, with the favourite, ridden by Robinson, getting his head in front on the line to win by a head, with Grace Emily (20/1) three lengths back in third.
Coventry Stakes 1893 Group 2 5 furlongs 136 yards
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 LADAS A White Mathew Dawson 2-9st 0lbs Lord Rosebery 6/4 fav
2 BULLINGDON Morny Cannon John Porter 2-9st 0lbs Duke of Westminster 100/7
3 VULPECULA Fred Webb T Fordham 2-8st 11lbs Prince Soltykoff 20/1
4 ARCANO Calder Chandler 2-9st 0lbs Sir W Throckmorton 4/1
5 THE RAYS Rickaby Tom Leader 2-9st 0lbs Colonel Clitheroe 20/1
6 GALINGALE John Watts Enoch 2-8st 11lbs Lord Zetland 20/1
7 MARGUERITE II Barker Tom Jennings snr 2-8st 11lbs Mr Tom Jennings 20/1
8 VAN DYCK G Barrett James Waugh 2-9st 0lbs General Von Kodolitsch 3/1
9 LAPLEY Allsopp Wadlow 2-8st 11lbs Lord Bradford 20/1
10 TIGHTS Tommy Loates James Jewitt 2-8st 11lbs Mr H McCalmont 20/1
The Coventry Stakes took place on Tuesday 13th June 1893 and the winner, a brown colt by Hampton, won a first prize was 1980 sovereigns from 98 subscribers (equivalent to £257,000 in 2020) Over round 122%
Coventry Stakes Group 2 6 furlongs
1890 1891 1892 1893